The Psychiatric Crisis Department at the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Children’s Hospital treats children and adolescents for mental and behavioral health crises.

Featuring 24/7 psychiatric crisis care, it’s like an emergency room, but for children experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis.

Call 911 if you are concerned about your child’s immediate safety.

Emergencies & When To Go

When should I go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department? When should I go to the Emergency Department instead of the Psychiatric Crisis Department? Should I call 911 or head straight to the Psychiatric Crisis Department? Where should I turn if my child is in a crisis situation that is not life threatening? What happens if I go to the Emergency Department first but then I need to go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department? What if I go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department first but then I need to go to the Main Campus Emergency Department?

What To Expect

How do I get to the Psychiatric Crisis Department? What should I expect once I arrive at the Psychiatric Crisis Department? Is financial assistance available?

Emergencies & When To Go

When should I go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department?

  • When should I go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department?
  • When should I go to the Emergency Department instead of the Psychiatric Crisis Department?
  • Should I call 911 or head straight to the Psychiatric Crisis Department?
  • Where should I turn if my child is in a crisis situation that is not life threatening?
  • What happens if I go to the Emergency Department first but then I need to go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department?
  • What if I go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department first but then
  • I need to go to the Main Campus Emergency Department?

What To Expect

  • How do I get to the Psychiatric Crisis Department?
  • What should I expect once I arrive at the Psychiatric Crisis Department?
  • Is financial assistance available?

Go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department if your child has urgent mental or behavioral health concerns that need immediately addressed without medical concerns.

You do not need to call ahead to come to the Psychiatric Crisis Department.

When should I go to the Emergency Department instead of the Psychiatric Crisis Department?

Go to the Emergency Department if your child has: 

Should I call 911 or head straight to the Psychiatric Crisis Department?

If you have concerns about serious injury to your child or others, call 911.

Where should I turn if my child is in a crisis situation that is not life threatening?

What happens if I go to the Emergency Department first but then I need to go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department?

A medical screening will be completed at the Emergency Department when you arrive. If you need to be transferred to the Psychiatric Crisis Department, staff will assist with transportation options.

What if I go to the Psychiatric Crisis Department first but then I need to go to the Main Campus Emergency Department?

A medical screening will be completed at the Psychiatric Crisis Department when you arrive. If you need to be transferred to the Main Campus Emergency Department, staff will assist with transportation options.

How do I get to the Psychiatric Crisis Department?

What should I expect once I arrive at the Psychiatric Crisis Department?

Your child is coming to the Psychiatric Crisis Department to be evaluated. A mental health assessment will help determine the best treatment plan. The child should be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Please make sure to bring your ID and insurance card with you to the Psychiatric Crisis Department.

Is financial assistance available?

No child will be denied care due to inability to pay for services.

There are many programs that Nationwide Children’s offers to help provide financial assistance. We accept most insurance plans, including Medicaid. For all other patients, Nationwide Children’s has a sliding fee scale. Learn More.